Herndon Monument Climb Challenges "Plebes" At US Naval Academy

ANNAPOLIS, MD - MAY 20: An Annapolis Naval Academy freshmen, Class of 2016, finishes the climbing of the Herndon Monument at the U.S. Naval Academy on May 20, 2013 in Annapolis, Maryland. Each year the freshman class, known as 'Plebes,' climb the lard covered monument at the U.S. Naval Academy to retrieve the Plebe "dixie cup" hat and replace it with an upperclassmen's hat. The annual tradition is one step in marking the end of wearing freshman headgear and moving up to headgear more like a U.S. Naval officer. They replaced the hat in 1:32:43. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)